DC Universe Classics Starfire and Adam Strange Action Figures

This is one we've been waiting for; there was no way that we wouldn't be getting Starfire when she became available, and Adam Strange basically came along for the ride. Nothing against Adam, but I've never been a particular fan and I wouldn't have gotten him if he hadn't been part of a set.

So, as for Adam--he's a decent-looking figure. As far as I can tell he's accurate to his design, although since I don't know all that much about him I can't be sure. The yellow is a little glaring and the red is a little more orangey than I'd have expected given images I've seen of him, but it's nothing too distracting. He wears a white harness with jet-pack and holster, which doesn't come off. (He also comes with a handgun, which he can hold or keep in said holster.)

He's as playable as most of the figures in this line, which is to say very much so. He has all of the jointing we've come to expect from these figures (head, elbows, knees, wrists, ankles, bid-thigh and mid-bicep and mid-chest, etc.) He stands pretty well, and sits nicely if you want him to.

Now, Starfire I have more solid opinions on. I always liked her in the old New Teen Titans. She's playable, has the usual jointing for this line, and is very, very posable. She doesn't stand very well, which is too bad but not unusual for a female figure (although this isn't inevitable--Marvel Legends Psylocke is one of the most stable figures I've seen). I'd call her a good toy in the sense that you can do a lot with her.

As for how she looks...well, that's a mixed bag. The costume looks about right, and (to quote the fourteen-year-old) "she's not wearing a thong!" The face is decent, and the hair looks fantastic and really doesn't limit head motion much at all considering how long it is--well done, there. However.

Starfire, if you'll recall, is a tall, curvaceous and muscular. This figure is not. The bust is quite modest, which wouldn't ordinarily be a complain except that it's Starfire. She's thin. Her shoulders are narrow. Her arms are not muscular in the least. And all that is just wrong.

Although I do like the DC Universe Classics figures on the whole, I've often been disappointed with the female figures. The first one we got was Batgirl (Cassandra Cain). The Batgirl figure is quite petite--narrow shoulders, small bust, rather frail in appearance. That actually works for Batgirl, who is a teenage girl.

Unfortunately, that body mold seems to be the standard one for female figures in this line. Harley Quinn has the same figure. Wonder Woman doesn't, thank goodness. But Starfire does, which is ridiculous. Why is it that the default body for these superheroine figures is such a puny one?